Pennsylvania’s first 2025 foliage report is out; Here are the top places to leaf peep

• By Erin Negley / LNP | LancasterOnline

Tracking Pennsylvania’s fall foliage season just started and one county has already reached peak color.

Tioga County, in north-central Pennsylvania, has reached peak with a mix of crimson, yellow and gold. Other areas of northern Pennsylvania, northeastern Pennsylvania and south-central Pennsylvania are approaching peak color. Through the rest of the state, foliage is just starting to change. Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Lancaster County, has little change.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued the foliage report Thursday, Sept. 25. That’s a week earlier than usual because of dry conditions.

Fall color is expected to be vibrant but thanks to dry weather, the leaves will change early and put on a shorter-than-usual show, according to the agency.

To find maximum color, state forest staff suggest a hike at Sand Run Falls or a drive on the Route 6 corridor in Tioga State Forest. Northern hardwood trees are near their peak. When oak trees start to change, they’ll create a second peak.

Staff also noted areas throughout the state approaching peak color.

• Buchanan State Forest: areas in Bedford County

• Gallitzin State Forest (Blair and Cambria counties): one of the scenic overlooks on Stevenson Farm Road, Clark Run Trail, Skyline Drive or County Line Trail

• Loyalsock State Forest: areas in Bradford County

• Weiser State Forest (especially areas in Carbon, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties): the Penn Forest and Roaring Creek tracts plus Locust Lake and Hickory Run State parks.

• Sproul State Forest in Clinton County: the Bucktail Natural Area on Route 120 between Lock Haven and Renovo

• Elk State Forest: Hicks Run and Dents Run

• Susquehannock State Forest (McKean and Potter counties): Hike the Billy Lewis Trail or drive Route 6 or Lyman Run Road.

• Delaware State Forest: Route 6, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Lackawaxen, Shohola and game lands 316, 116, 180, and 183 in Pike County, White Deer Lake and the Buckhorn Tract, including Lily Pond and the Stairway Wild Area; and US 80 & 380, Blakeslee, Mount Pocono, game lands 127 and Tobyhanna State Park

• Pinchot State Forest: Salt Springs State Park and along the D&H Rail-Trail, both in Susquehanna County.

The weekly reports will be published each Thursday for at least six weeks this fall.